City of Mt. Vernon City Council met April 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Regular City Council Meeting in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois via teleconference due to the Covid-19 quarantine.
Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order.
Pastor Harold Quick from the West Salem Trinity United Methodist Church gave the Invocation via teleconference.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Joe Gliosci, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journals for the April 3, 2020 Special City Council Meeting, April 6, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting, and April 9, 2020 City Council Workshop Meeting were presented for approval.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Journals as presented. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
No comments were heard.
APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,317,570.51. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Demolition of Nine Flood Plain Properties. Four bids were submitted. The project is reimbursable 100% by the State of Illinois based on the City’s Flood Plain Mitigation Agreement. Bechtel explained that more properties will be demolished after negotiations are finished with the State. The lowest responsive responsible bidder was Kenneth A. Hails Excavating for $64,884.00. The City’s internal estimate was $54,500.00.
Heck’s Excavating Mt. Vernon, IL $72,000.00
Kenneth A. Hails Exc. Texico, IL $64,884.00
S. Shafer Excavating Inc. Pontoon Beach, IL $100,800.00
Heartland Services Inc. Tamaroa, IL $86,564.20
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to award the bid for the Demolition of Nine Flood Plain Properties to Kenneth A. Hails Excavating for $64,884.00. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s permission the request of bids on the 9th Street and Route 142 Concrete Ditch Project. She explained that the project will try to prevent vegetation growth and allow the water to flow faster.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to request bids on the 9th Street and Route 142 Concrete Ditch Project. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s permission the closure of 9th Street from Jordan to Casey on Saturday, April 25th, 2020 for a Mobile Food Market provided by the United Way and University of Illinois Extension. The organizations along with Cusumano & Sons are helping the community by providing a gallon of milk and fresh vegetables.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission the closure of 9th Street from Jordan to Casey on Saturday, April 25th, 2020 for a Mobile Food Market provided by the United Way and University of Illinois Extension. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel asked for Council’s direction on whether to open the Aquatic Zoo Pool this summer. Due to the Covid-19 virus, it is uncertain whether the stay-at-home order will be lifted and if it is lifted, it would be difficult to enforce social distancing and maintain a disinfected facility. Bechtel stated that even if the pool is opened, she feels that families may not take the safety risk. After discussion, the Mayor and Council agreed that opening the pool this summer is not worth the expense or the risk to public safety.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for an Ordinance Granting Conditional Uses for Cannabis Craft Grower and Cannabis Transporting Organization or Transporter at Property located at 613 Old Fairfield Road. Charles Voss, Jr. is the petitioner. Bechtel reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved this Conditional Use under the condition that the property is voluntarily annexed into the corporate limits of the City by petition of the property owner for the reason that the property receives municipal utility services, response for police and fire services and that the operation of a cannabis facility immediately adjacent to the corporate limits of the City should be subject to City police power jurisdiction and to City regulations and ordinances. Mr. and Mrs. Voss requested that the annexation required be waived because the property owner is strongly against annexation. They explained that it is difficult to find a suitable building for their business and asked if there is any way around the annexation condition. Council Member Donte Moore stated that the City needs the jurisdiction to protect the Voss’s and the City’s interest. Mayor John Lewis understood the dilemma and offered to talk with the property owner about annexation. Bechtel stressed that the Conditional Use cannot be used without the property being annexed.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-12, an Ordinance Granting Conditional Uses for Cannabis Craft Grower and Cannabis Transporting Organization or Transporter at Property located at 613 Old Fairfield Road. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading, an Ordinance Approving the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget. Bechtel asked if the Council had any additional questions about the budget since the Budget Workshop and Public Hearing. The proposed budget contains the proposed 5% increase in Sewer Operating Rates; however, the increase will not be effective unless the Ordinance adopting the rate increase is approved.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to suspend the rules on voting on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Nos: Botch and Young.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-13, an Ordinance Approving the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. No: Botch.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading, an Ordinance Approving the Sewer Rate Increase. The proposed 5% increase in Sewer Operating Rates will be effective on the first day of the month sixty (60) days after the expiration of the Governor’s restrictions. Council Member Ray Botch stated with the 2% planned Capital increase on November 1st, the citizens would have a total 7% increase. He stated that this is not the time to increase rates. First reading was held.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving the Illinois Commerce Commission Stipulated Agreement 2041 between the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Union Pacific Railroad Company, and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Bechtel explained that Union Pacific Railroad is requesting to install a new StarTrack concrete surface at the Liberty Street crossing. There is no cost to the City for this project.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution Approving the Illinois Commerce Commission Stipulated Agreement 2041 between the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Union Pacific Railroad Company, and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Agreement and Appropriation of Funds between the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and the Illinois Department of Transportation to Provide for ADA Improvements along Route 15. Bechtel explained that this Agreement will provide ADA Improvements on Illinois Route 15 (Broadway Street) at the intersections of 27th Street, 30th Street, 34th Street, Crownview, 42nd Street, and 44th Street. The total project is $2,070,000. The City’s share of the project is $87,400. The funds will be from the Quality of Life/Economic Development Fund.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Authorizing the Agreement and Appropriation of Funds between the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and the Illinois Department of Transportation to Provide for ADA Improvements along Route 15. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways Utilizing IDOT Motor Fuel Tax Funds. The following streets will be paved using MFT Funds:
Elm Circle
Pavey – Richview to Lake St.
16th Street – Logan to Lamar
Lamar – 17th to 15th Streets
Perkins – Shawnee to 10th Street
9th Street – Perkins to Cleveland
Indian Trail – First part
Intersection - Brownsville Road by the school
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways Utilizing IDOT Motor Fuel Tax Funds. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving the Illinois Department of Transportation Permits for Water and Sewer Projects. Bechtel explained that there are areas in the 2020-2021 IEPA Loan Application, that requires the City to access IDOT right-of-way to work on the 10” water main along and under Illinois Routes 148 and 15 and I57/I64 at Ilbery Road.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Approving the Illinois Department of Transportation Permits for Water and Sewer Projects. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis read his notice regarding the activation of Drury Inn for COVID-19. “I received a phone call early this morning from the IEMA Director, Brigadier General Alicia Tate- Nadeau, informing me that a request has been submitted to activate the Drury Inn Motel for housing. She had personally assured me earlier in the week that she would call me directly if there was any change, and she kept her word. This request for activation is working just as promised. The request originated from our county for our people. This IS NOT being activated to bring people in from outside our area. This is a local request to the State for assistance with containment of the virus from an outbreak at the Green Tree Residential Living Center. This request is to allow those employees from Green Tree to have an option to stay at the Drury Inn so as not to affect their families and loved ones. These employees that we are requesting this facility to be activated for have tested negative for the virus. As a side note, there is nothing nefarious nor any conspiracy being committed in the reporting of the number of cases. The information is released every 24 hours each morning by the health department for ANY positive test results received during the previous 24 hours. These are hardworking dedicated members of the medical community who have no other agenda other than to try and manage this situation and keep everyone safe and informed. Lastly, do your part!!! Follow the CDC recommendations of social distancing, washing your hands, sanitizing and stay at home unless necessary to leave.”
Mayor John Lewis spoke on the 2020 Census and urged every household to complete the census.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Donte Moore thanked Cusumano and Sons for hosting food drives. The traffic has been orderly, and many people appreciate the food drives.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
No comments were heard.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No Executive Session was held.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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